Day 01: Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Africa. You will be met on arrival by Kivulini Safaris Tours Director, you will then be greeted and transferred to Nairobi Safari Club. Afternoon will be at leisure. Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel (B), Nairobi. Nairobi, Maasai for ‘the place of cold water’, is the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg and is still growing with the spirit of a frontier town. Only 160km south of the equator, it is situated at an altitude of 1800m above sea level and thus temperatures are never very high. The city covers an area of 684 sq. km and has a salubrious climate with plenty of sunshine. Its main avenues blaze with colour from the tropical bushes and trees which line them. Only 40 years ago Nairobiwas a city of mud streets and single- storey tin houses.
Today it has strikingly modern buildings, dual-carriageways and skyscrapers. There are two theatres, several town cinemas (two drive-in), art galleries, nightclubs and a university. Although schools still cater to some extent for communities, the principle of racial integration has been fully accepted. The expanding capital owes its very existence to the fact that it is a true communications centre and as such to Day offers a unique introduction to adventure in East and Central Africa.
History
Nairobi was born in the spirit of adventure. 60 years ago the land on which it now stands was the border between Maasai-land and the Kikuyu, teeming with game of all kinds. The rail-head of the Uganda Railway reached Nairobiin 1899, and the camp-followers, traders, adventures, and settlers made the railway construction camp of tents and shacks their head-quarters.
Thus, this modern city began as a tiny railway depot, marking the 500km peg as the line thrust its way inland from the historic coast of Mombasa. In 1900 township regulations were issued, and in 1905 Nairobi succeeded Mombasa as the capital of British East Africa. In this period, successive township committees struggled against unplanned trading areas, plague, lack of sanitation and drainage, a shortage of police and street lighting, and, above all, a continuous lack of money.
During World War I, Nairobiplayed an important part as a base in the campaign against the Germans in Tanganyika although the colony was severely restricted in its commerce and productive capacity. Nairobibecame a municipal council with corporate rights in 1919. In World War II, Nairobionce more assumed importance as a military base. It became a city by Royal Charter in 1950. Its growing importance in commerce and industry has been matched by its increasing popularity as a tourist city and its advantageous position on African and intercontinental air routes.
Day 02: Nairobi - Amboseli National Park
Departure after breakfast and visit Daphney Sheldrick – The Elephant Orphanage then proceed on with picnic lunch to Amboseli National Park (game drive en-route). Overnight at Tortilis Luxury Tented Camp.
Day 03: Amboseli National Park
Early morning game drive. Return to Lodge for Breakfast. Lunch at Lodge. Afternoon game drive. Amboseli National Park has the spectacular backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro setting the scene. The Amboseli National Parkhas earned a reputation for its great scenic beauty, with the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, and for its big game. Four of the Big Five (Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Lion) are readily seen as well as the long-necked Gerenuk and the Fringe-earned Oryx. Named after a dry lakebed to the west, which only has surfaced water during heavy rains, Amboseli provides a visitor with a truly African experience. Overnight at Tortilis Luxury Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 04: Amboseli - Tsavo West
Departure after breakfast and drive to Severin Tented Camp. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in the park.
The Tsavo National Parkis divided into two by the main Nairobi - Mombasa highway. It is Kenya’s greatest game sanctuary and one of the largest areas in the world devoted to game preservation. The game population is varied and practically all the interesting species can be seen, in particular large Elephant herds. Of special interest is the Lesser Kudu, with spiral horns and a striped coat.
Other animals likely to be seen include Buffalo, Black Rhino, Cheetah and the occasional Leopard. Bird life if prolific and colourful in both Tsavo East and Tsavo West, with the famous Mzima Springs in Tsavo West offering the opportunity to see Hippos, Crocodiles and shoals of fish at close quarters from strategically placed lookouts or through the plate glass windows of a submerged observation chamber. Overnight at Severin Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 05: Tsavo West National Park
Early morning game drive. Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Lunch. Proceed for a late afternoon game drive. Overnight at Severin Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 06: Tsavo East National Park
Departure after breakfast and drive to Satao Tented Camp. Game drive en-route. Lunch at Satao Tented Camp. Afternoon game drive. Overnight at Satao Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 07: Tsavo East National Park
Early morning and late afternoon game drives in Tsavo East National Park. Meals as per itinerary starting with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight at Satao Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 08: Tsavo - Nairobi- Mount Kenya Park
Departure after breakfast to Sweet Waters with picnic lunch. Arrival at Sweet Waters for a late lunch. A visit to Sweet Waters game sanctuary. Overnight at Sweet Waters Tented Camp – B,L D
Day 09: Mt. Kenya - Meru National Park
You will depart after breakfast and drive to Meru National Park. Arrive in time for lunch at Leopard Rock Lodge.
Afternoon game drive. Overnight at Leopard Rock Lodge – B,L,D
Enjoy your stay in the exclusive Leopard Rock Lodge overlooking a tropical river that hosts Hippos, Crocodiles, many species of birds and Bisanadi Reserve. Leopard Rock is unfenced open to wildlife from where you can see closely wild animals and predators who come inside the lodge to water at the river.
Very fine cuisine, high-class restaurant with special service, selection of wine and champagne. 15 Luxury cottage suites 75 sqm with private terrace, 2 bathrooms, floor Mazeras, Persian carpets, teak furniture. Conference facilities. Ultimate Jacuzzi room. Relax at the fantastic swimming pool with Island bar overlooking Crocodiles. Sundowner on our magical rock with the view of Mt. Kenya and Nyambene Hills.
Leopard Rock Lodge is a fully refurbished upmarket Safari Lodge built on 1 3.5 km river frontage, in the last remaining park devoted to wilderness Meru National Park, along the Equator 310km from Nairobi, North East of Mt. Kenya, 5 hour journey from Nairobiby road and 1 hour by air. It is an ecological Lodge which respects the environment with the intention to maintain the authenticity of this wild area which stretches to Somalia, Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean.
George and Joy Adamson set their camp at the Leopard Rock Lodge which Joy described as an ideal Leopard country when they got the famous baby lioness – see movies from born free, free for ever, and living free. Meru National Parkhas a wide variety of landscapes and habitat around the equator. Forest, swamp and Savannah are pierced by 15 perennial rivers, rising from the volcanic Nyambene Hills reaching Tana river in the Southern boundary.
The park is a low altitude area ranging 110m to 1100m above sea level. Meru National Parkhas a lot of wildlife, Elephants, Black and white Rhinos, reticulated Giraffes, Buffalos, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, common and Grevy’s Zebra’s, waterbucks, Grant Gazelles, Lesser Kudu, Bush buck, Elans, Warthogs, Baboons, Monkeys, several dikdiks, orix, Generuks, Hartebeests, Somali Ostriches, Hippo, Crocodiles, Snakes as well as 300 other species of colourful birds.
Day 10: Meru National Park
Early morning game drive in Meru National Park. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Morning at leisure. Lunch. Afternoon game drive in Meru National Park. Overnight at Leopard Rock Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 11: Meru - Samburu Game Reserve
Depart after breakfast for Samburu. Arrive in time for Lunch at Larsens Tented Camp. Afternoon game drive. Accommodation at Larsens Luxury Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 12: Samburu Game Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives. Accommodation at Larsens Luxury Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 13: Samburu Game Reserve
A whole Day will be spent in the Samburu Game Reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives. Accommodation at Larsens Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 14: Samburu - Aberdares
Departure will be after breakfast and drive back southwards. Arriving in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. In the afternoon you will be transferred to The Ark. Overnight at The Ark – B,L,D. Game viewing will be done from the balcony of your hotel. Only overnight bags are allowed at The Ark while other big suitcases to be stored at the Aberdare Country Club and to be retrieved the next morning prior to the departure.
Day 15: Aberdares - Lake Baringo
You will immediately depart after breakfast and drive to Lake Baringo. On arrival you will be transferred by boat in time for lunch at Island Camp. Afternoon will be at Leisure with optional activities here below stated. Overnight at Island Camp – B,L,D
Day 16: Lake Baringo
Whole Day will be spent at Lake Baringo. Baringo Island Camp. Island Camp is situated on the southern tip of Ol Kokwe Island in the fresh water Lake Baringo, in the Great Rift Valley with steep mountain sides on each side. Great sunrises, sunsets and the place to be for full moon. Small, exclusive and remote, Island Camp offers a perfect opportunity to escape the humdrum of city life and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this idyllic island. In 23 double tents with ensuite bathroom set under spreading acacia trees. There is also a large and secluded honeymoon tent down by the waters’ edge.
Three and a half hours drive on tarmac road from Nairobi. Access to Island Camp is only by boat, driven by experienced boatmen. Parking, shade and security are provided for the vehicles left on the mainland, while porters are available to assist in transferring luggage to the boats. Relaxation, swimming in the pool at the pinnacle of the camp with picturesque views, bird watching. Boat trips around the lake, water-skiing, champagne breakfasts, guided walks to the hot springs. Ideal for special occasions – e.g., conferences / seminars, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Visit local Njemps villages and closely Lake Bogoria Game Reservefor large numbers of flamingo, sometimes nesting; hot springs and the elusive and elegant Greater Kudu. Overnight at Island Camp – B,L,D
Day 17: Lake Baringo - Maasai Mara
Departure after breakfast and drive to Maasai Mara via Narok. Arrival in time for lunch at Mara SarovaCamp.
Afternoon game drive. Over night at Mara Sarova Tented Camp – B,L,D
Day 18: Mara Sarova- Governors Camp
You will spend a whole Day in the Maasai Mara. You will have early morning game drive. Return to Mara Sarova Camp for breakfast. Departure after breakfast with a game drive en-route. Arrive at Governors Camp for lunch. Afternoon game drive (using the Camp Landcruisers). Overnight at Governors Camp – B,L,D
Day 19: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
You will have another whole Day to spend in Maasai Mara. Early morning game drive. Return to Governors Camp lodge for breakfast. Followed by a morning game drive. Lunch. Afternoon game drive. Most of the Mara consists of rolling grasslands covered with Acacia trees and dense bush thickets.
Its southern boundary is continuous with Tanzania’s famed Serengeti National Parkand it is across this boundary that the spectacular seasonal migration of millions of Wildebeest and Zebra pass in their search for water and grazing lands. The Reserve is divided into two sections – the inner area, where no human settlement is allowed and the outer section where the colourful Maasai are permitted to graze their cattle.
The Mara is home to Kenya’s largest population of blackmanned Lions and huge herds of Elephant. Buffalo, Wildebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Gazelles and Topi can be seen along with the odd Leopard or Cheetah. The Reserve is bisected by the Mara River and its tributaries providing a splendid variety of bird life and large concentrations of Hippos in pools. Dinner and overnight at Governors Camp – B,L,D
Day 20: Maasai Mara - Nairobi
Depart after breakfast and drive to Nairobi. Arrive in time for lunch at NairobiSafari Club Hotel. Afternoon spent at leisure to do the last minute shopping. Dinner will be at the Carnivore Restaurant. Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel - L,B
Day 21: Nairobi - USA
You will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in good time to connect your onward flight back home.
Included in the Package:
- All accommodations
- All meals except while in Nairobion departure Day (account direct)
- All government and hotel taxes and service charges
- All land travel
- All Intra-Kenya scheduled and charter flights
- All park, reserve, and conservation area entrance fees
- All game-viewing activities; guided walks, horseback rides, or 4x4 game drives in open top vehicles
- All vehicle transfers to - from Bush Homes, airports, hotels, etc.
- Half Day tour of Nairobiwith a private driver - guide
- AMREF medical evacuation coverage
Not Included in the Package:
- Some alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses
- Lunch and dinner while in Nairobion departure Day (account direct)
- Gratuities to drivers/guides and staff members - $7-$10 per person per day
- Intra-Kenya Airport departure taxes ($2 per flight payable at departures)
- Kenya International departure tax ($40 payable at departure)
- Pre-trip inoculations
- International Airfares
- Kenya visa fees (estimate $75 per person)
- Travel Insurance
Please Note:
All private charter flights are subject to weight limits that can not be exceeded for safety reasons. If these weight limits are exceeded then the travelers will be held responsible for the extra costs incurred to upgrade the charter flight.
Sometimes these flights cannot be upgraded due to all charter planes being booked - this could result in a delay in travel time and pose problems for the travelers. Your luggage weight should not exceed 33 lbs. per traveler.
Most charter flights are booked on single engine aircraft. In the event of bad weather prevailing, it may be necessary to upgrade to a twin engine plane which is approved for instrument flight conditions. If this occurs, the extra cost of the twin engine plane will be your responsibility.
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